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RIT St Lawrence University RPI Syracuse UB Binghamton University Union College UVM Ursinus College Middlebury Babson U of R| Clarkson University | Arcadia University | College 3 | College 4 | |
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Overview |
Clarkson | Arcadia | ||
| Location | Potsdam, NY | Glenside, PA | ||
| Setting | Remote Town | Large Suburban | ||
| Enrollment | 3,603 | 3,142 | ||
| Type | Private 4 Year | Private 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #183 | #471 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | - | Presbyterian Church (USA) | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | clarkson.edu | arcadia.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
Clarkson | Arcadia | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $56,642 | $47,590 | ||
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| Tuition (Out of State) | $56,642 | $47,590 | ||
| Room & Board | $17,016 | $16,250 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $33,192 | $26,994 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $43,097 | $34,234 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 100% | 100% |
Admission |
Clarkson | Arcadia | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 7,347 | 6,688 | ||
| Admitted | 5,669 | 5,296 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 77.2% | 79.2% | ||
| Enrolled % | 10.7% | 7.9% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.8 | 3.42 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | A- | B+ | ||
| Admissions Standards | Very High | Difficult | ||
| Applicant Competition | ||||
| ACT Range | 26/31 | 26/30 | ||
| SAT Range | 1198/1390 | 1083/1310 | ||
| Submit Test Scores | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | ||
| Application Deadline | Jan 15, 2026 |
Academics |
Clarkson | Arcadia | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 12:1 | 11:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
Clarkson | Arcadia | ||
| Graduation Rate | 72% | 62% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $70,800 | $46,400 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 86% | 69% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $27,000 | $27,000 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $279 | $279 |
Diversity |
Clarkson | Arcadia | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 17% | 11% | ||
| % Women | 13% | 28% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Very Low | Medium | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 84% | 68% | ||
| % Black | 2% | 9% | ||
| % Hispanic | 4% | 8% | ||
| % Native American | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 2% | 4% | ||
| % International | 3% | 3% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 2% | 2% |
Students |
Clarkson | Arcadia | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 65% | 66% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 29% | 32% | ||
Campus |
Clarkson | Arcadia | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | No | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | Yes | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | No | No | ||
| Daycare Facility | No | No | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- Clarkson University is larger than than Arcadia based on total student enrollment (3,603 students vs. 3,142 students)
Clarkson vs. Arcadia Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, Clarkson or Arcadia?
- Clarkson University is 19% more expensive to attend than Arcadia for in-state tuition ($56,642.00 vs. $47,590.00)
- Out of state tuition is 19% higher at Clarkson than Arcadia University ($56,642.00 vs. $47,590.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Arcadia University than Clarkson ($26,994 vs. $33,192)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Arcadia University are 4.7% lower than costs at Clarkson University ($16,250 vs. $17,016)
- The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Clarkson University as Arcadia University (100% vs. 100%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Clarkson University students is 25.9% larger than aid received Arcadia University ($43,097 vs. $34,234)
Clarkson vs. Arcadia Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, Clarkson or Arcadia? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Arcadia or Clarkson .
- The average SAT score at Clarkson University (1198) is 94 points higher than at Arcadia (1104)
- Incoming Clarkson students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (27) than students at Arcadia (25)
- Accepted freshman Clarkson students have a 0.38 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at Arcadia (3.42)
- Arcadia has a higher acceptance rate (79.2%) than Clarkson (77.2%)
Clarkson vs. Arcadia Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, Clarkson or Arcadia? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Arcadia and Clarkson.
- The graduation rate at Clarkson is higher than Arcadia University (72% vs. 62%)
- Graduates from Clarkson University earn on average $24,400 more per year than Arcadia graduates after ten years. ($70,800 vs. $46,400)
- Arcadia University and Clarkson graduates both have the same median student loan debt upon graduation ($27,000 vs. $27,000)
- Arcadia University and Clarkson graduates both have a median monthly student loan payment upon graduation ($279 vs. $279)
- More Clarkson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Arcadia students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 69%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/